Gleason takes in the scenery in Hobbiton, the legendary scene of "The Hobbit" film. Taylor Gleason Taylor Gleason may only be 21 years old, but he's already seen more of the world than most people ever will.

Of all of the places he's been to, though, New Zealand stands out to Gleason as an exceptionally cool destination. Beautiful scenery, laid-back locals, and endless adrenaline-infused activities are just some of the reasons that the Kiwi nation was one of his favorites.

Gleason gave Business Insider an exclusive look into his top picks of things to do on the two main islands that make up the tiny country, complete with jaw-dropping pictures and videos of his experiences. Just beware of the sharks: they look close enough to touch.

Bungee jump off of Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, the birthplace of this death-defying sport. Gleason recommends the "water touch" bungee jump, where a head-first plunge off the bridge lets your body submerge in the water for a split second before you spring back up.

Take in the gorgeous Queenstown scenery from high up in a hang glider. "It was my first time doing it, and it was surreal," Gleason said. "It was amazing to be able to actually be in the same position as a bird and get a real 'bird's eye view' of nature and the world."

Go rafting through mountain and tunnels in some of the world's best class-four rapids. "We saw wildlife all along the way, and the water was so fresh from the glaciers in the mountains that we started swimming in it and drinking it. It's the best mineral water I've ever had," Gleason said.

Head out for a kayak or boat cruise on breathtaking Milford Sound. Carved by ice age-era glaciers, it was described by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world," and it was definitely another highlight for Gleason.

Dive with wild Great White Sharks. Gleason traveled to Bluff, a remote town on the bottom tip of New Zealand's South Island, to do what most people have only ever seen in movies. After baiting the sharks and waiting for them to come, Gleason and others donned dry suits and scuba gear to brave the freezing water, and climbed into a large cage.

Tour around Wellington, New Zealand's version of Hollywood studios, and the place where the "Lord of the Rings" movies were filmed. Set pieces, props, and famous locations are scattered all over the town, drawing fans from around the world.

For a real up-close glimpse of how the movies were made, check out Weta studios, where most of the animation and makeup was done.

In a similar vein, rent a car and drive to Hobbiton, the filming location of "The Hobbit" in Matatma on the North Island.

"The entire town was amazing; it's all built on someone's farm, and it looks like something that you'd find in a certain zone of Disney World," Gleason said. Walk around specially-designed 'hobbit holes,' check out Frodo's house, and enjoy special Hobbiton food and beer.

Head to the Waitomo Caves for black water rafting among the famous glowworms that live in the underground waterways. They looked "like millions of stars at night in the sky," Gleason said. "It was spectacular."

Jump off of Auckland's Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Partaking in this exhilarating excursion puts you on a list with Beyoncé and a whole slew of other celebrities who have also taken the daring plunge.

If you have had your fill of jumping off of stuff in New Zealand, though, it's totally acceptable to just take in the cool vibes of the country's largest city.

As far as Gleason's future travel plans, he plans to first take some time to work on a book and a blog. Until those come out, though, the best way to keep up with him is to follow his adventures on Instagram.

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